how to make a split rear window

I have a 59 morris minor I chopped with a curved gl*** rear window.

I don't like the look of it and even if I wanted to cut the rear gl*** (which I don't) it would still take a lot of metal work to get it ready.

So if i'm going to do a lot of work, I'd rather make something really cool.

Does anyone have any suggestions on the easiest and/or best way to get a cool split window look? Whatever it is, I'd like it to have flat gl*** that I can make/have made as inexpensively as possible.

here is what i have:


here are two examples of minors with something of what i'd like:




maybe someone has an old top I could cut the windows out of and graft onto my project...

 

Hey,

I'd suggest you look into making the backlight opening flat in the centre, and fill in the outer areas of the opening with panels you've shaped and welded in to match the new lines of the backlight to the dutchman panel.
As for the actual ''split window'' openings, I'd build these from a hammerform, and make an inner and outer panel. This would give you a flange to fit a gasket to, or glue to if you desire.

Another method would be to stay with the basic shape of the oem backlight, fab and weld in flanges built fron flat sheet and a shrinker/stretcher, and cut curved gl*** panels from a windscreen that matched the flow of the roof to dutchman panel.

A good medium to advanced metalshaping project

" Life ain't no Disney movie ''

 

Maybe check the VW guys for a split window scabbed out of an old Beetle

 

You can buy a repro VW split window section complete with gl***, rubber, and trim. It would pry be the best size for a Minor.

 

A 38 mopar split rear window is a nice one to mess with. I put one in a 49 Plymouth I used to own, chopped the opening 2 inches, came out great.

 

I think the VW split window will be your best bet. They are cheep and you can order them from several online distributers. Should be about the right size for your project.

 

I had thought of a vw, just figured finding one to cut out (scab is the term?) would be impossible....

and my sheet metal skills are limited to what I can bend and form with a hammer and torch. and my experience is pretty much zill. doesn't mean i won't try

i'll keep my eyes and ears out for the donors suggested

 

the shape of your roof you'll be better off locating a smaller curved back gl***.

 

You could also retain the original gl*** and fab a fake molding that sits on to of the gl***. Looks like a split from the outside, cleans as easilly as a single pane on the inside. This method allows you to make it in any shape you like without the pain in the *** factor of cutting the gl*** and if the gl*** gets damaged, replaces with the ease of an original. No expensive custom gl*** or moldings to replace.

 

I have a split window top out of a 1936 Hupmobile might do the trick. I am about an hours drive from you....

 

I like the idea of a faux split window and hadn't thought of mounting the gl*** inside as one piece..... Veery eenteresting....

I'm not a fan of having a huge piece of gl*** inside though. It seems like it would look cheap and like a bandaid... I'll play with the idea though.

How tall is that humpmobile gl***?? It looks quite large for my micro car

 

We used the small side windows out of a four door sedan,take the year and model you would like

 

Come on, just go for it, learn something new every day. I'll bet it turns out better than you thought and you get to say, I did it.

I've been working on cars a long time and I'll bet you 10 times a build I say "**** well that didn't work.

 

3 times the cost of fibergl*** but here's http://www.kaefer-nostalgie.com/content/oval-split-conversion-kit

 

yeeeaaahhh.... that's looking pretty good. not cheap, but waaay nicer than i could make. I'll have to give it some thought as that's more coin than i'd like to drop and i really like the 'i made it myself' factor that this would negate...

thanks for the link -- never would have thought of that.

 

you are absolutely right and i can't tell you how many times i've said all of those things on this project alone. I actually fabbed up some sheet metal pieces to fill in a gap where i removed the bumper and they are some of the things i'm most proud of on this.

I'm definitely not afraid to try, I just know that with my lack of skill, experience and tools that a difficult project like this (at least difficult to make look really nice) might be one of the few i don't do.

 

http://www.vwinnovations.com/bug.html#split

$370 for the panel, gl*** and seals.